School of Management ranks Bradford’s Top 100 Businesses
Bradford’s best 100 businesses have been revealed in an annual study carried out by the University and a city newspaper.
The University of Bradford’s School of Management has joined forces with the Telegraph & Argus to produce the third annual Top 100 Businesses list.
The list, which celebrates the city’s biggest successes from 2024, was unveiled in front of Bradford business representatives at an event held at the University.
Top of this year’s list was BorgWarner, who won the Number One award. Based on the Euroway Industrial Estate, BorgWarner is a car parts manufacturer. Second in the list was Vanquis Bank and third was Denso Marston.
Professor David Spicer, Professor of Small Business Development and Organisational Studies and Director of Business and Community Engagement at the University of Bradford’s School of Management, said: “The Top 100 list acknowledges the outstanding range of businesses within our city and district.
“The list is a showcase for all those included, and we wish to celebrate all these businesses and applaud the role they play in the city’s landscape.”
Steve Lowe, Sales Director at LOCALiQ, said: “The report is aimed to build confidence in Bradford as a place to do business, as a place to invest and a place to be proud of as a local business doing well.”
From left, Victoria Wainwright, Managing Partner at Azets, hands the ‘One to Watch’ award to Dr Rachel Sammut, Associate Professor in Marketing at the University of Bradford, who collected it on behalf of winners Tranmer White. Images credit: Mike Simmonds/Bradford Telegraph & Argus
How the Top 100 list was compiled
The list was compiled by the University’s School of Management from publicly available data, ranking firms across indicators of business success, all from 2023 figures, including turnover, increase in turnover and shareholders’ funds.
All the businesses included have their headquarters, or primary trading address, located within the City of Bradford Metropolitan Council area. Bradford postcodes that fall in other council areas are excluded, while some Leeds postcodes which fall within the Bradford Metropolitan district are featured.
To be included, firms must have filed business information and accounts with Companies House and have a registered primary trading address and/or headquarters based with the list’s qualifying area.
From left, Professor Yvonne Moogan, Director of the University’s School of Management, presents the Number One prize to Professor Tillal Eldabi, Head of Department of Business Analytics, Circular Economy, and Entrepreneurship, University of Bradford School of Management, who collected it on behalf of winners BorgWarner. Images credit: Mike Simmonds/Bradford Telegraph & Argus
Other award winners
Other accolades handed out at the report’s launch event were the ‘One to Watch’, which this year was won by Tranmer White, an Ilkley-based estate agents founded in 2024.
Their award was collected on their behalf by Dr Rachel Sammut, Associate Professor in Marketing at the University of Bradford.
The ‘Highest Growth’ award was given to ICS (UK) Ltd, a Bradford-based business specialising in the distribution of catering products and packaging.
University representatives, Professor Yvonne Moogan, Director of the School of Management, Professor Udy Archibong, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion), and Professor Spicer, and Victoria Wainwright, Managing Partner at Azets, all gave speeches during the event.
The report also highlighted the top five small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) under £50 million, the top five food and beverage companies, the top five SMEs under 250 employees and the top 10 manufacturing companies within the Bradford district.
From left, Umair Bhamji, ICS (UK) Ltd Development Director, receives the Highest Growth award from Graham Sweeney, Managing Partner at Schofield Sweeney. Images credit: Mike Simmonds/Bradford Telegraph & Argus